The Hangover (2009)

The Hangover is an amazing story of friendship that pulls out all the stops, but tends to drop the ball a bit in my court. I say that, but don't think for a minute this is not a must-see comedy, and by chance the comedy movie of 2009.

Todd Phillips (Old School) directs a trio of drunken goofballs led by Phil Wenneck (Bradley Cooper, He's Just Not That In To You, The Rocker), who take their soon to be married friend Doug (Justin Bartha, National Treasure) out for a night of debauchery in none other than Sin City itself, Las Vegas. Fast forward one mindless night that no one can remember, with a side of tiger in the closet, and you have the making of comedy genius. The guys wake the next morning with no teeth, no pants, and... no Doug! Zack Galifianakis, Ed Helms and Heather Graham round off the supporting cast (which might throw a surprise or two your way) as laughs ensue while the guys try to piece back together their night and find Doug in time for the wedding.

The story may not be original, but it takes plenty of liberties that really make it its own laughable entity. The movie really works. There are so many high points that even the low ones don't seem to blemish this laugh out loud comedy. Granted, the ending may not live up to the rest of the movie, and the music a bit dated (and at the same time fitting seamlessly into the scenes) but the acting was top notch and the comedy not too low brow for classic connoisseurs to detest. It really does go to show that, "some guys just can't handle Vegas."

I’d like to end by stating that I saw this movie five months after its release and had been filled with all the hype from my peers. Maybe I just didn't want to let myself hear this was a "two thumbs up" or "5 star" comedy... but I didn't have to because it really proved itself. Go see it, because if you don't, you'll just be the guy who hasn't yet.

8.1/10

Rated: R
99 mins. / 108 mins. (Unrated)